Question
We have a very, very tall rubber tree in our yard that was here years before we moved in (and we've been here over 25 years).  I couldn't even venture to guess how tall it is but the height of it far, far, far exceeds the height of the power lines, the base of it is approximately nine feet around (circumference), and the yard is full of above-ground roots from this tree, many of which are over two feet high.

Within inches of the base of this rubber tree is a concrete walkway (approximately ten feet wide and that runs between the tree and our garage) that is horribly cracked and buckled (mostly in one particular spot) due to the roots of this tree.

Because the garage floods when it rains (not due to the tree but because of the slope of our property), we had a contractor come out to ask about having a concrete trench installed along the entire length of the side of our garage.  However, the contractor says that in order to be successful in his attempts to divert the water away from the garage, he needs to completely remove all of the buckled and cracked concrete and, in order to level it out before re-doing the concrete, he says he will need to cut and remove the ten feet of rubber tree root that is underneath the buckled walkway.

We have put a halt to the project because we are very, very, very fearful that by his cutting and removing this ten-foot root underneath the walkway that the tree may ultimately die and even ultimately tumble down, crushing not only our house and our garage but those of our neighbors, as well.  This is not a chance we could take if this could even remotely happen.  We would, instead, continue to bail water out of the garage every rain.

Our question:  Would cutting ten feet of root from this rubber tree (under the buckled walkway) in any way, at all at all, compromise the health or the stability of the tree?  PS:  We have no idea at all what the width of this root is.

We so appreciate your taking the time to have read the background behind our question and are appreciative of your response.  Thank you so, so much!

Answer
Cindie,

We are not talking about a houseplant here. You need to call a local tree service. They frequently do free estimates. They could judge what you are asking much better. I do not want that kind of liability. I can tell you that ficus trees are very resilient and when pruned  their roots grow back very quickly. I doubt that it would damage the tree but I cannot tell from your description if you are cutting off half the roots. Call your nearest tree seervice and have them take a look. They can give you the best advice. Good luck!

Darlene